Jeremiah

What a good book. All about Israel's big time FAILS and their rebellion, sin, outright hatred for God...and then BAM! God's like, "Hey, if you just admit you were wrong, I'll be glad to take you back - My arms are open right here waiting!" At every wrong turn, there He is, waiting, longing for us to just let go of the counterfiet desires we've been seeking. He's calling us constantly to accept teh best He has for us - perfection! What a God. I love Him. Jeremish, though bleak at times, offers me hope that God is always loving and forgiving me. Thank you Jesus.

28.

blah. Exam week. Lots to do. Finishing up Visa Application and praying it comes back approved try number 1! In Jesus' name. Had a great conference loving on Jesus. Back to writing assignments...

31 days

In 31 days I will graduate University. Four years have passed seamlessly and I am in awe at the many adventures and wonderful things which have unfolded before me. God has been exceptionally good to me these past four years and I have learned and grown so much. I'm gearing up for a year in the UK as an intern for the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East. I am excited to see what else He has in store for me. So, here we go life!

One week

So here I am a week from coming home after four and a half months in Australia. It has been adventurous and educational and fun! I've learned alot about God and His plan and His goodness. I feel that I have grown a bit as the woman I am supposed to become. Which is nice. This adventure has surely prepared me for what I know lies ahead and that is a good thing. Studying at USC has been one of the best experiences in my life. Studying with Aussies has been so fun. My favorite would have to be two Aussies in my Asia class who have served in the Middle East in the Navy and Army. They always gave me a hard time about America but in good fun and I liked playing into their sarcasm. It's been a journey I wouldn't trade for anything. I've had to rely solely on the plan of God which shouldn't be hard since it's always perfect. Being here and on my own, away from family and the familiar has really made me trust that plan and know that I'm better for doing so. I've learned how close the Holy Spirit is and how I can accept his leading instead of fighting what I have inside of me - peace, joy, patience, and knowledge. I know they are apart of who I am supposed to be and tapping into those now is much easier. I just tell my flesh to make room. Getting to know my housemate Ashlie has been one of my favorite things. She and I have become pretty good friends. I like talking to her and listening to her, mostly listening though (Ashlie if you read this...:) I love you). She is fun and I will miss her terribly. The kids at Kings have also been champions! Seriously great kids. Really in love with God and totally on fire for His plan. It was an honor being able to do waca and come to rehearsals and really witness excellence in singing and in the musical aspect of worship. These people are so dedicated! They come three hours before service and don't leave till hours after because they are completely dedicated to the service they give to the Lord and His people. Helping with media and singing at Youth and on Firday nights was an absolute blast! Having to cook for myself has been fun. Ashlie and I made a roast lamb and that was astoundingly delicious! I missed Lucky Charms, Panera, Chick fil A, and Zappatas but I can remedy that when I come home. Of course, then I will miss Cadbury. Oh Cadbury chocolate, I shall miss you dearly. You were such a good companion to me in times of need. Thank you. :) But man i am glad to be coming home for Christmas! Yay! And then one more semester at home and then off for another adventure in Petersfield UK in June. Always up for another adventure. Always happy to meet new people and change lives. So, soon I will be home. It's been Good Oz, thanks for the good times. See you again soon!

Two new friends

I went running today later than I usually go in order to miss the sun’s midday wrath. As I ran past one of the workout circuits in the neighbourhood near my apartment, a little boy called out to me, “Hello!” “Hi!” I responded a bit surprised. The child wore a red shirt, board shorts and flip flops; he had been standing on the body curl bench. I stopped and he asked “Are you coming on this thing? It’s for exercise.” “Maybe on the way back ok?” I kept going. I hoped he would still be there after I had finished my run. As I ran back towards the workout circuit and my apartment, I could see his little body hanging from the chin up bar. I stopped to do dips on the bench and he started a conversation with me. Another woman came to the circuit to do some push ups and the boy exclaimed, “There are lots of people here now! I remember you. You were running that way.” “Yes I was. And I said I would come back, and here I am.”
He began to explain all the parts of the circuit and looked at the poster which explains how each part is performed. He told me to do number, ‘ten, eleven TWELVE!! You’re at number twelve.” We proceeded to speak about the different parts of the circuit. I started to do some body curls and he asked what it was called. Then he told me he was “nearly seven.” “Nearly Seven?” “I AM seven.” I moved on to another push up bench but pushed some pine needles out of the way so I wouldn’t slip. He tried helping me with his hand but got poked by them. “Where did all these things come from? What are they? They hurt.” “They are pine needles and they come from that tree right there.” As I was doing some mountain climbers, his brother, Ben rocked up and asked if the younger boy told mom where he was. “Morgan, do you want to go home?” his brother asked. We three began talking about the pine trees in the U.S. and Ben told me they were from Essex England and they had just moved to Sunshine Coast Tuesday. Ben goes to high school next to my uni. The two boys were absolute dolls! I was having so much fun I didn’t want to walk home. Morgan showed me his ‘sports watch’ and told me the time. It was such fun. Those boys made my day! I hope I run into them again.

I miss children. I miss Madison and Emma from the daycare. They bring me such joy.

Coolum Kite Festival

Today Jillian, Suzy, and I went to Coolum Beach for the Kite Festival. The beach was really nice and we got to swim by the edge of the coast where there were some cliffs and boulders. Pretty! This week begins Week 9 of the Academic Calendar leaving 4 weeks of classes. My classes seem to be going pretty well. I have heaps of work do right until the end of the semester but am staying ahead. We'll have a week off before exams and that will be much needed for rest and study. The following two weeks will be for exams. I only have 3 this semester which will be nice. This week at Kings is State Conference. I will be singing in choir for the night sessions and doing media on Tuesday afternoon. It's so nice not having to work. I have lots of time to devote to study and helping with Media at Kings. I am currently working on two papers regarding Terrorism and a project for Marketing. The weather has started changing and now it is pretty hot. Not much else has changed. Still loving it Down Under but will be glad to come home to my family and friends. Later!

p.s. check out my Coolum Kite Festival pics in the Oz Two Album. :)

Some Highlights

I had a chance to speak to a guy after youth Saturday night about the prophetic and miracles and it got me so excited. I was vibrating with Holy Ghost electricity as we were speaking. This man and his wife are from Adelaide and their church there was deep into prophecy and Holy Spirit power, glory, signs, wonders, and miracles. And he and I had the opportunity to talk about our similar heart for seeing and working in that for this generation! It was exciting. I pointed him to All Nations website www.maheshchavda.com and to Aaron’s website www.alcdesign.org as I was able to talk to him about both the church and Aaron’s testimony of being born at 25 weeks weighing less than a pound and surviving past doctor’s expectations! Glory to God!! WHOO!!

Friday night we had an anointing service at Kings One. I was asked to do Graphics during the service so I had to keep the lyrics coming at a good pace for the singers and congregation. It was so much fun! Pastor Steve had some prophetic words for a few people and prayed over them. One guy, Reuben http://reubenskewes.blogspot.com/, was told that he has the ear of a generation! That was so powerful! And knowing Reuben a little, I know it is the truth.

Youth Camp is coming up this week and I may be going. It is a week full of God encounters, worship, fun, hang out time, and relaxation. I don’t have the money to spend on it, but if God wants me to go, He will provide. Always Glory, Always Praise. YES! YES! YES! God is good.

Half Way Through

So this is week 7 and our mid-semester break begins next week. We have a two week break which will be a much needed time of relaxing and reading for leisure. I finished the last of the Time series – An Acceptable Time and it was such a good one! Now I am beginning another series by the same author the Austin Family series. Let’s see. I got a package from the familia full of books and Office DVDs. So the past two weeks have been full of Michael Scott’s ‘funtivities’! Mom sent me Only Love can Make a Miracle, the Hidden Power of Prayer and Fasting, and the Hidden Power of Watching and Praying. I asked for these books to be sent for me to give to the pastors here at Kings. September is Miracle Month at Kings and having come from All Nations where Pastor Mahesh ministers in miracles often, I want to be a vessel for the Lord. Kings is very open to the Lord moving and I am excited for the things He decides to do for us here. We have been talking about faith in church and having greater expectancy. It has been encouraging. I have been able to get more into the Word lately and my spirit has truly benefited from that. I am reading Romans at the moment and have been highlighting verses that really speak to me. There are many. I am also putting scriptures on my walls and reading them over myself before bed each night. It get’s me to think about and believe the blessings that God has for me. I would encourage everyone to do the same – write scriptures about prosperity and blessing and declare them over yourself. Bring the blessings to life. Whenever I come against something that is stressful or that worries me, I am able to look around my room and say, ‘No, I am blessed. Relax and rest, God has showered you with blessings.’ It is very helpful.

Last week I was stressing about some school things and instead of staying up till late and working on it and stressing the entire time I just got ready for bed and read Romans and talked to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and fell asleep in such peace around 9:15. I woke up in such a better place. I’ve never really spoken to the Holy Spirit as a separate part of God. I have thanked the Holy Spirit and asked for her help but I hadn’t ever just talked to her about my day. Well, I did that and it was such fun. Pastor Bonnie has likened the Holy Spirit to the female aspect of the Godhead and I like that idea. I have begun treating the Holy Spirit as such and it’s been like having a big sister...who knows everything. I like to talk to God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit as if they were right next to me. And thinking about them being with me, physically with me, is so great! It helps adjust the way I act because I know they are watching and cheering me on and encouraging me to do the right things!

I have gotten involved with the worship team here and got to sing in the choir Sunday, which was Father’s Day here. I called my Dad and wished him a happy Australian Father’s Day! That was great. Oh, back to the books – I gave Only Love to Pastor Steve and encouraged him to read it and see what God has shown Pastor Mahesh through Love and Miracles. He thanked me and said he had been following Mahesh and had seen his name here and there. I also gave the Watching and Praying book to Dusty- the youth leader. Once a month the Youth does Midnight Mass after the Friday night meeting. We stay after and pray until midnight. We also eat pizza and pancakes! Yum. I’ve been going to the church to do some video editing as well. I have been working on an Apple Cinema HD Display 30” Flat Panel Mac in Final Cut Pro. is all I can say. I even got to make a short clip about the recent work day they had to ‘spruce’ up the church. I cut a bunch of clips from a captured piece and put it to music and did some transitions. Richie said he’d tweak it a little and upload it to the website. When he does, I’ll put a link to it! It was such fun. I will be greatly equipped when I come home to help with video announcements at ANC – that will be AMAZING!!

I now have 11 weeks left of my time in Australia. Last weekend I went with my housemate and a friend to Brisbane. We went to DFO – a big outlet mall (like Concord Mills) near the airport. We also went to China Town in Brisbane. It was kind of small but I got some good pictures of Brisbane. I will be going back soon though. I also plan on going to an aboriginal market during break too! I have noticed that the workload here is quite different than in the US. Instead of having to write 12-15 page papers, my challenge is two tackle broad subjects in 1,000 words. I just finished an essay on the Importance of China to Asia...It had to be 500 words! I was struggling with my papers but spoke with one of my professors and got some good input so I can improve my grades. I am aiming for ‘high distinction’ in all my subjects. They have a different grading scale which includes HD, Distinction, Credit, Pass, and Fail. Anyways, that’s pretty much the extent of my update. You can always contact me at destiny_el@yahoo.com.

Update - Because Mrs Z. asked

I have settled into classes and am getting the hang of two classrooms for each class – one for 2hr lectures, and a different one for 1hr lectures. Hmmm, there isn’t much to update. I was able to go with Amy to WACA – worship and creative arts – on Tuesday night and will be spending a few Tuesday nights with the team then auditioning and joining the choir and maybe get to do Youth before I leave. I have a feeling I won’t want to leave in November though. I \’d like to transport a long list of people here and live in Australia forever. That would be fine by me. But I have some unfinished business at home and around the world that I will be involved in taking care of so Australia will have to wait for my return. But things are good. Still a bit cold and windy but I am excited for summer to come! I’m used to sleeping with a fan and having the buzzing noise drown out all other sounds but haven’t got one here so my nights are far from restful. I am still waking up to loudy loud birds around 6am who sing me awake until 7am and then leave at which point I am obliged to fall back asleep. I’ve been really getting into prayer more and praying in the spirit more often and getting into the word. I found an Australian New Testament with the outline of Australia on the front and I’ve decided to read it like I’d read any other book – front to back. And I’m highlighting all the passages that I find powerful, funny, odd, or just interesting. I often find when I read with purpose I find more. Profound I know. I’ll put up a picture of the Bible so check out the link to the right of this blog for pictures! I’ve been spending more time with the kids from Kings. Tuesday was Big Night Out – where all the Knect groups come together the first Tuesday of the night and worship together and hear Pastor Steve Penny speak about the focus for the month and reiterate anything the Lord has been speaking to him for the body. After church I went with Ben and Chrissy to McDonalds. We then went to the beach and sat on a big boulder overlooking the ocean and the reflection of the moon and ate our burgers. After climbing some rocks and feeling like I might die if I fall – scary – we went to Lucy, Sam, Brooke, and Lauren’s house to watch High School Musical 3. It was fun times with lots of singing – Little Mermaid mostly.
Now, I am sitting in the apartment alone – it is Uni night at the club downtown and drinks are cheap so kids all head that way for the evening. The tele is on in the lounge room and my door is open because I don’t like to be alone in a house. So voices are good. I am starting work on my oral presentation for next week in International Politics because I decided to get mine out of the way and go first. Overachiever – well trying to be! Ha! Um, let’s see. I miss kids. Just in general I miss children being around. I forgot how much joy they bring me. At WACA the other night there was a 2 yr old boy with his mom and I was making faces at him and making him smile and hide in his mom’s shoulder while we sang. I miss my kids at the daycare! Heaps and Heaps! I hope I get to spend lots of time with kids in my life. They are so very important o me. Being able to positively influence and affect a child is one of the most powerful investments one can make – and most rewarding I think. I am still looking and praying for a job. I’ve been applying at places in the mall and sending my resume but haven’t heard anything yet. The zoo hasn’t gotten back in touch with me either. But Lucy said she would take me to the zoo which would be exciting! I’ve never been to a zoo – and no the Bolivian rain forest doesn’t count as a zoo! Ha ha! I’ve also applied to go to the capital Canberra (CAN-bera) for two days in September for an International Student Roundtable. It is organized and paid for by the Australian government and used as a tool to hear what the experience is for International students in Australia. I am really praying for favor for this. It would be such an honor to play a role in advising the Australian government on ways to improve their system as well as commend the many wonderful things they already are doing. Please pray for favor for this for me! It would be an amazing experience. I would be meeting heads of State such as the Deputy Prime Minister. Go here to find out more about it - http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/Sia/en/RndTblInfo.htm

I was able to speak to my family today on AIM Talk and it was wonderful! JJ's voice is going to be deeper when I come back I think. I miss my sister and brother heaps and heaps! JJ wanted to know about my apartmenT – he emphasized the T at the end! I hope I’ll be able to talk to the kids at the daycare soon! It would be such fun to hear their little voices again. Yay for kids! Australian Idol starts Sunday and I am excited for that.
Not much else to report. My shower leaks and my sink drips so I’ve had to shut my bathroom door when I sleep. But yeah, things are good, God is great , and life on the Sunshine Coast is grand!

Update - More about Kings

Hillsong Worship Pastor, Darlene Zscech was at Kings Church Friday night and she spoke on Prayer. She spoke about the importance of pure, zealous prayer. Prayer and praise go hand in hand. Don’t complicate the goodness of God; Thank Him in everything – it is His will; don’t fret or have anxiety about anything but in everything give Him thanks; Prayer is about trust; keep your mind on Him and you’ll have peace. These were all points she made about the power of prayer and praise. Darlene, or Darls as she likes to be called, shared of a time she went to Lima, Peru and was able to see dire, complete, desperate poverty. She teared up as she told the story of one woman who had nothing, who had broken a ligament in her leg and could barley use it and was in crippling pain with no medicine or medical attention, but she wanted to thank God for her life. She wanted to praise Jesus for her family and for the beautiful day. Darls shared about that experience and how it wrecked her. She was so ashamed to be called a Christian when standing next to this powerful prayer warrior. She wanted to be as adamant about Jesus as the woman in the dirt hut was. And Darls shared that she is now becoming so much bolder in her prayers. She encouraged us to prayer with expectancy and with thanksgiving in our mouths for the miracle. It was really powerful! After the service I was able to talk with her as she was heading upstairs to the leaders lounge. And I told her about the Watch on Friday nights and Pastor Mahesh’s book The Hidden Power of Prayer and Fasting. I thanked her and Hillsong for all of their worship and told her we’ve been doing their stuff for years and are so thankful for their hearts. She thanked us for doing the Watch and said that they [Hillsong] was right there with us and were adamant about prayer and fasting as well! She gave me a big hug and it was amazing. I almost started crying talking to her – she just leaks the presence and spirit of true worship. Oh it was powerful!
Then Saturday night was Empire Youth and I was invited to come to the leader’s meeting beforehand and told the schedule of events for the evening. The setup is at 6pm everyone arrives and the back of the church is set up for games – table tennis – a huge Wii screen with couches and chairs, and three bungees hanging from the steel beams of the ceiling and kids were just free to play and swing and talk. There was coffee and Milo [which is delicious and I’ll bring some home – worry not] for kids to drink and music videos up on the screens in the front. Then at 7 the band starts up and everyone comes to the front. All the lights are out except the stage lights and it’s set up like a concert. And they did just one song and then an announcement video came up about upcoming youth events – camp, the monthly youth focus – Generosity, etc. Then Pastor Dusty (youth pastor) asked if anyone suffered from fear attacks and that God wanted to deliver them and we laid hands on them and prayed for kids. And then we went back to the back for a group game called the cube of death. Two people were wrapped in blow up mattresses and tied up in the bungees and hanging about four feet off the ground. And the bungee in the middle was tied around a mattress. One team was on each end of the back with a big foam cube and a person on top of the cube. The goal was for each team to make it to the other side without the person falling off the cube. The catch was that the two people in the blow up mattresses were being swung around by two guys and the middle mattress as being swung as well. So they had to dodge the swinging people and mattresses. So, needless to say it was very exciting but the mom in me came out a few times and I did the classic mom gasp and cover your mouth. It was fun though. There was also a skateboard ramp set up outside the church. When you get to Empire Youth, the foyer has loud music playing with a sign in table with info cards for new kids and some greeters. After the cube of death we went back for more worship and Dusty speaking on Generosity. We also watched a video that some guys at the church made – called Jeanerosity. Where this one guy goes up to people in the street and asks them if they like his jeans and tries to give his jeans away as a means of being generous. It was hilarious but the kids enjoyed it. They don’t care if they break the rules and act stupid, they do things to attract young people and then once they’ve got their attention, they love on them and bring them to Jesus. It was great! Then offering, another song, and the end. But afterwards, people are free to keep playing Wii and eat pancakes. So it is a really great time and loads of fun. Probably 150 kids there. I even swung on the ropes and have two bruises from the rope – not so fun, but still a little fun.
Kings is really about getting people out to church events. At each service there are video announcements about the next months activities and functions. There is a Charity Golf Game, A Vintage Fashion Show Tea, and lots of other things. One thing they are doing next Sunday is Servolution Sunday. Where they set up booths for each of the departments you can serve in and they require you give a six month commitment. And each six months they do it again and it keeps people involved but gives them the freedom to get involved with something else after six months. I haven’t seen their Heros kids church yet but I have a class with the Kids Pastor and will be speaking with him more about it. Aaron, you would have fainted if you had seen the size of the mac in their editing suit. OH MY GOSH!! It was beautiful! All cordless mics, different drummers set up their own kits, two soundboards and a light board operator. Only musicians have in-ears. Everyone else has their own monitor and the sound is cranking!! And guess what…NO FEEDBACK!! What!!?? I know, miraculous. Ha! There is a soundboard stage left off the stage and that guy mixes the musicians in-ears and singers’ monitors. I like this guy. The stage is really cool. It has a catwalk that comes out from underneath and stairs for it that all get pushed into the front. Speakers and light coming out of your ears and guess what else – they can film in the dark!!! Super cool, I know! There could be three can lights on and they can still use the video cameras! Ha ha!! So, yeah, they have a really good set up and they use technology really well.